Two friends were battered, stabbed and left for dead as a simmering feud erupted into brutal violence on a Paisley street.

The victims – named locally as Mark Reid and Ross Lawson – were targeted by thugs armed with knives, hammers and baseball bats as they walked along a footpath in Glenburn Road, near to Knockside Avenue.

People living nearby watched in horror as the yobs got out of a car and launched a savage attack in broad daylight.

Mr Reid, 30, and Mr Lawson, 33, both suffered serious injuries as they were left lying in a pool of blood on the pavement.

Yesterday, police said Mr Reid, who was stabbed in the arm, leg and stomach, and Mr Lawson, who sustained a serious head injury and a broken hand as he tried to defend himself, were specifically targeted by their attackers.

And one Glenburn resident told the Paisley Daily Express there is a history of bad blood between those involved.

The man, who asked not to be named, said: “The two guys who were attacked are lucky to be alive. They took a dreadful beating and there was blood all over the pavement.

“From what I’ve heard, these guys have some history with the people who attacked them.

“It’s shocking that people can be attacked with knives and hammers in broad daylight and in full view of families who live nearby.”

Police have appealed for information about the attack, which took place at around 4.50pm on Monday.

They said two men got out of a maroon-coloured Citroen Berlingo and assaulted the victims, before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle.

A Police Scotland spokesman added: “A member of the public phoned an ambulance and both victims were taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital, in Paisley.

“The 30-year-old man received treatment for wounds to his arm, leg and stomach and was later released.”

The 33-year-old man was transferred to Glasgow Royal Infirmary for treatment to injuries to his head, shoulder and hand.

His condition is described as “stable”.

One of the suspects is described as wearing dark clothing and a yellow and black baseball cap.

Detective Sergeant Gordon McCrae, who is based at Paisley Police Office, said: “At this time, we are trying to establish a motive for this attack but we believe the victims were the intended targets.

“This crime happened in broad daylight and it is important that we trace those involved.

“I would appeal to anyone who was in the general area late on Monday afternoon and saw this incident, or the car arriving or leaving the scene, to get in touch.

“I would also urge anyone who knows the identity of the suspects to come forward.”